Aircraft Air Separation Device for Fuel Efficiency and Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aircraft inerting systems are inefficient in weight and fuel usage, do not optimize power generation during flight, and produce high nitrogen oxide emissions, particularly when using di-hydrogen as fuel, which requires new inerting methods for safety and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An aircraft system utilizing an air separation device to produce both oxygen-enriched and nitrogen-enriched gas mixes, where the oxygen is injected into the combustion engine to improve combustion efficiency and reduce NOx formation, and the nitrogen is used for inerting critical areas, including the engine compartment and fuel pipes, optimizing weight and power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an air separation device is used to produce nitrogen-enriched air for inerting fuel tanks, then safety is improved, but weight and fuel consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air separation device is designed to serve multiple functions: producing nitrogen-enriched air for inerting fuel tanks and producing oxygen-enriched air for enhancing combustion in the auxiliary power unit. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the weight penalty of carrying the air separation device worthwhile, as it contributes to both safety and fuel efficiency rather than just safety alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the composition parameter of air by separating it into nitrogen-enriched and oxygen-enriched streams. The nitrogen-enriched air (with reduced oxygen content) is used for inerting to prevent combustion, while the oxygen-enriched air is used to improve combustion efficiency in the APU, thereby reducing overall fuel consumption and offsetting the energy cost of operating the air separation device.
2Reliability
If oxygen is produced and stored on-board for emergency situations, then safety is improved, but weight increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of producing oxygen solely for emergency storage, the system produces oxygen-enriched air that is immediately utilized by the auxiliary power unit to enhance combustion. This continuous utilization eliminates the need for large storage tanks, reducing weight while maintaining safety benefits through improved combustion efficiency and reduced NOx emissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The air separation device continuously produces oxygen-enriched air in advance of any emergency situation, supplying it to the APU for combustion enhancement. This preliminary production and immediate use avoids the need to store large amounts of oxygen, thereby reducing system weight while ensuring oxygen is available when needed for safe operation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the auxiliary power unit is used during flight for power generation, then fuel efficiency is improved, but NOx emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enriches the air supplied to the APU with oxygen from the air separation device. This increased oxygen concentration accelerates and improves the completeness of combustion, allowing the APU to operate more efficiently at lower temperatures and pressures, thereby reducing NOx formation while maintaining high fuel efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The air separation device also produces nitrogen-enriched air that can be used to create an inert atmosphere in the combustion chamber or exhaust system, diluting the combustion environment to reduce peak temperatures and suppress NOx formation while the oxygen-enriched stream maintains combustion efficiency.
4Reliability
If nitrogen is used for inerting critical areas, then safety is improved, but the system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The air separation device serves dual purposes: producing nitrogen-enriched air for inerting fuel tanks and producing oxygen-enriched air for APU combustion enhancement. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate systems for inerting and power generation, as one device accomplishes both safety and efficiency goals.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves high fuel efficiency, low NOx emissions, and enhanced safety by optimizing the use of inert gases, allowing for full utilization of auxiliary power units during flight and reducing the need for fire extinguishing equipment.
Implementation Method 1
an air separation device adapted to provide a flow of oxygen-enriched gas mix and a flow of nitrogen-enriched gas mix upon receiving, at its intake, an original gas mix comprising at least nitrogen and oxygen such as air
Implementation Method 2
an injection device comprising a fuel intake adapted to receive fuel and a fuel output adapted to supply fuel in the combustion chamber
Implementation Method 3
the nitrogen is used for inerting critical areas, including the engine compartment and fuel pipes
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an aircraft and a method for operating an aircraft, which comprises a combustion engine with a combustion chamber and an injection device for injecting fuel in the combustion chamber, said aircraft comprising as well an air separation device adapted to separate air into an oxygen-enriched gas mix and an nitrogen-enriched gas mix, said oxygen-enriched gas mix being injected into the combustion chamber with the fuel, while the nitrogen-enriched gas mix is used to inert at least some portions of the aircraft in the environment of said combustion engine.